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The first court-house (a brick structure) for Williams county was, as late as 1883, standing on the banks of the Maumee in Defiance and used as a pribo dwelling. A large part of the settlers of Defiance county were Germans. Mai were laborers upon the railroads, who remained and took up lands.

DEFIANCE IN 1846.-Defiance, the county-seat, is on the south bank of the Maumee, at its junction with the Auglaize, on the line of the canal, 152 miles northwest of Columbus, 58 from Toledo and 50 from Fort Wayne. It was laid out in 1822 by Benj. Level and Horatio G. Philips and contains 1 Methodist and 1 Catho

lic church, 5 mercantile stores and a population of about 700. It is destined, from its natural position, to be, when the country is fully settled, a large and flourishing place; it already has an extensive trade with a large district of country. Defiance is on the site of a large Indian settlement, which extended for miles up and down the

river. Gen. Wayne, on his advance march, arrived at this place Aug. 8, 1794. army found it surrounded by a highly cultivated country, there being vegebles of every kind in abundance, and not less than one thousand acres of corn around the Indian town, besides immense apple and peach orchards. It had been a great trading point between the Canadian French and the Indians. On the 9th of August Wayne commenced the erection of a fort, which he called Fort Defiance. The army remained here several days and then moved northward, and on the 20th routed the Indians at the Maumee rapids. On their return they completed the fortress. Fort Defiance was built at the confluence of the Auglaize and Maumee, traces of which work are now plainly discernible. The situation is beautiful and commanding: it is indicated in the view of Defiance by the flag shown on the left. Gen. Winchester, previous to his defeat at the river Raisin, in the war of 1812, encamped in a picketed fort, which he built on the Auglaize, about 100 yards south of the other and named Fort Winchester.

Defiance is 115 miles northwest of Columbus and 49 southwest of Toledo, at the confluence of the Auglaize and Maumee, formerly called "The Miami of the Lake," rivers. It is on the line of the W. St. L. & P. R. R. and the B. & O. & C. R. R. County officers in 1888: Probate Judge, John H. Bevington; Clerk of the Court, Simon M. Cameron; Sheriff, Henry Wonderly; Prosecuting Attorney, John W. Winn; Auditor, Wyatt T. Hill; Treasurer, John F. Dowe; Recorder, Geo. A. Heatley; Surveyor, Martin W. Steinberger; Coroner, D. P. Aldrich; Commissioners, Jacob Karst, David Miller, Frank J. Clemmer. Newspapers: Defiance County Express, Rep., Jos. Ralston, proprietor; Democrat, Dem., W. G. Blymer, editor; Weekly Herald, Dem., German, J. A. Diendorfer, editor; Local News, Rep., Aaron F. Schrack, editor. Churches: 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, 1 Episcopal, 2 Catholic, 2 Methodist Episcopal, 1 German, and 1 English, 2 Lutheran, 1 Albright Methodist and 1 United Brethren. Banks: Defiance National, James A. Orcutt, president, Edward Squire, cashier; Merchants' National, Wm. C. Holgate, president, E. P. Hooker, cashier.

Industries and Employees.-Karst & Fenger, doors, sash, etc., 34 hands; Burgland & Shead, butter tubs, etc., 69; Defiance Woollen Mills, 37; Defiance Machine Works, wood-working m chinery, 176; Corwin & Kiser, carriages, etc., 10; Kuhn Brothers, tobacco boxe end lumber, 75; Christ. Diehl, beer, 13; Turnbull Wagon Co., wagons and agricult al supplies, 190; L. Archembeault, wagons, etc., 5; Peter Schlosser & Son, rriages, etc., 20; C. Geiger & Son, furniture, 36; Wilhelm & Son, flour, etc., 12; Levi & Ginsburg, cigars, 32; Defiance Paper Co., wrapping paper, 25; John Marshall, lumber, etc., 11; J. V. Olds, spokes and hubs, 11; George H. Dicus, cooperage, 15; Alexander Friedman, cigars, 5; Arbuckle, Ryan & Co., flour, etc., 13; Oconto Box and Barrel Co., barrels and boxes, 40; Marshall and Greenlen, hoops and staves, 36; D. F. Holston & Son, hoops, 65; Crowe & Hooker, hoops and staves, 53; John Rowe & Son, hoops; Trowbridge & Eddy, staves and heading, 65.-State Report for

1887.

Population in 1880, 5,907. School census in 1886, 2,113; C. W. Butler, superintendent.

From early times Defiance has been an important historical point. It occu pies the site of the ancient "Tu-en-da-wie" of the Wyandot and "En-sa-woc-sa" of the Shawnee. Wm. C. Holgate, in an address before the Historical Society of the Maumee Valley, describes it as the heart of the Indian nations, the great centre where the ancient races came to live, trade and counsel. He ascribes it to the peculiar topography of the Maumee valley, extending 100 miles east and west and 100 miles north and south, of which Defiance is the centre. The valley is the territory drained by the Maumee and its tributaries, which consists of about twelve counties in Ohio and parts of Michigan and Indiana. The chief tributary streams from the north, the Little St. Joseph and the Tiffin, originate in Hillsdale county, Mich., about fifty miles north of Defiance. All these streams

were navigable to a certain extent. The other two tributary streams from the south, the Auglaize and St. Mary's, originate as far south of Defiance.

Au Glaize and Grand Glaize were the names given by the French to this place, and it was so called in all historical accounts prior to the erection of Fort Defiance. It is claimed on good authority, says Knapp, that the noted chief Pontiac was born here, one of his parents being a Miami and the other belonging to the Ottawa tribe. Heckewelder states "the Miami of the Lake, at the junction of the Auglaize with that river," was the place of abode and refuge in 1781 for a remnant of the Moravian Christian Indians after the massacre of the Muskingum.

In 1780, during the Revolutionary war, an expedition under Col. Byrd was fitted out at Detroit, consisting of 600 men, including Indians and Canadians, with two pieces of artillery, destined for the invasion of Kentucky. This expedition took Au Glaize on their route and, it is inferred, erected a stockade here and rested on both going and returning from Detroit. This was the force that appeared before "Bryant's Station" and "Ruddle's Station" and compelled their surrender, and, after promising protection to the prisoners, massacred them in cold blood.

One of the early historical accounts speaks of a great council of all the Indian tribes, held at Au Glaize in October, 1792, and says it was the largest Indian council of the times; that the chiefs of all the tribes of the Northwest were here, and representatives of the seven nations of Canada and of the twenty-seven nations beyond Canada; that Cornplanter and forty-eight chiefs of the six nations of New York repaired here; that three men of the Gora nations were in attendance, whom it took a whole season to travel to this point. "Besides these," says Cornplanter, "there were so many nations that we cannot tell the names of them." The question of peace or war was long and earnestly discussed: the chiefs of the Shawnees being for war, and Red Jacket, the Seneca chief, for peace. This convention represented a larger territory than any convention of Indians we have an account of, before or since, being held on the American continent. It seems to have been a natural intuition that led the red men of the forest to see that this was the strategetic centre of North America.

In his

Captivity of Two White Boys-Captives were brought to Au Glaize; and what is singular two boys, when captured, one nine years of age, John Brickell, from Pittsburg; the other eleven years of age, Oliver M. Spencer, from Cincinnati, have left written accounts of their experience. Brickell was taken in February, 1791, and was adopted by a Delaware Indian named Whingy Pooshies and lived with his family four years. narrative he says he was treated very kindly, every way as one of themselves, and had every opportunity of learning their manners, customs and religion, and thinks he has been influenced to good more from what he learned among these Indians than from what he has learned from amongst people of his own color. Honesty, bravery and hospitality were cardinal virtues among them. When a company of strangers come to a town and encamp, they are not asked if they want anything, but a runner starts out proclaiming

strangers have arrived.) On this every family provide of the best they have, and take it to the strangers, for which not a thought is had of anything being received in return, and when they start out they are helped on their journey. Worshipping the Great Spirit, whom they call Manitou, "never," says Brickell, even on one occa

sion did I know of their using the name irreverently," and they had no term in their language by which they could swear profauely. Their young honor the aged. The first corn that is fit to use is made a feastoffering. The first game that is taken on a hunting expedition is dressed whole without the breaking of a bone, with the head, ears and hoof on, and being cooked whole, all eat of it, and if any is left it is entirely burnt up; and in respect to things clean and unclean they follow the Jewish customs. They have no public worship except the feasts, but frequently observe family worship, in which they sing and pray. They believe in a resurrection after death, and in future rewards and punishments. Their cruel treatment of their enemies in war seems but the acting out of the precepts, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and blood for blood. Young Brickell was trained to hunt and much of his time was out on hunting expeditions. These were generally to the streams of the Maumee in summer, but in winter extended to the Scioto, the Hocking and Licking rivers. During his four years' sojourn here, two very important events occurred-St. Clair's defeat, in 1791, and Wayne's victory, August 20, 1794.

He gives some interesting items in regard

to Wayne's victory. The following winter
his people had to winter at the mouth of
Swan creek, on the site of Toledo.
He says:

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We were entirely dependent upon the British, and they did not half supply us. The starving and sickly condition of the Indians made them very impatient, and they became exasperated at the British. It was finally concluded to send a flag to Fort Defiance in order to make a treaty with the Americans. This was successful. Our men found the Americans ready to treat, and they agreed upon an exchange of prisoners. I saw nine white prisoners exchanged for nine Indians. I was left, there being no Indian to give for me. Patton, Johnston, Sloan and Mrs. Baker were four of the nine; the names of the others I do not recollect.

On the breaking-up of spring we all went to Fort Defiance, and arriving on the shore opposite, we saluted the fort with a round of rifles, and they shot a cannon thirteen times. We then encamped on the spot. On the same day Whingy Pooshies told me I must go over to the fort. The children hung around me, crying, and asked me if I was going to leave them. I told them I did not know. When we got over to the fort and were seated with the officers, Whingy Pooshies told me to stand up, which I did. He then arose and addressed me in about these words: My son, these are men the same color with yourself, and some of your kin

may be here, or they may be a great way off.
You have lived a long time with us. I call
on you to say if I have not been a father to
you; if I have not used you as a father
would a son?' I said, 'You have used me
as well as a father could use a son. He said,
'I am glad you say so. You have lived long
with me; you have hunted for me; but your
treaty says you must be free. If you choose
to go with people of your own color I have
no right to say a word; but if you choose to
stay with me your people have no right to
speak. Now reflect on it and take your
choice and tell us as soon as you make up
your mind. I was silent for a few minutes,
in which time I seemed to think of most
everything. I thought of the children I had
just left crying; I thought of the Indians I
was attached to, and I thought of my people
whom I remembered; and this latter thought
predominated, and I said, I will go with my
kin. The old man then said, 'I have raised
you. I have learned you to hunt; you are a
good hunter. You have been better to me
than my own sons. I am now getting old
and I cannot hunt. I thought you would be
a support to my old age. I leaned on you as
on a staff. Now it is broken-you are going
to leave me and I have no right to say a
word, but I am ruined.' He then sank back
in tears to his seat. I heartily joined him in
his tears, parted with him, and have never
seen or heard of him since.'

On his return from his captivity Brickell settled in Columbus, and became one of its most esteemed citizens. O. M. Spencer, the eleven-year-old Cincinnati boy, was taken in 1792, while a little way from home, by two Indians. His captor was a Shawnee, but he shortly transferred his rights to his companion, Wah-pawwaw-qua, or White Loon, the son of a Mohawk chief. At their arrival at the confluence of the Auglaize and the Maumee, after disposing of their furs to a British Indian trader, they crossed over to a small bark-cabin near its banks, and directly opposite the point, and, leaving him in charge of its occupant-an old widow, the mother-in-law of Waw-paw-waw-qua-departed for their homes, a Shawnee village, on the river about one mile below.

Cooh-coo-che, the widow in whose charge young Spencer had been left, was a princess of the Iroquois tribe. She was a priestess, to whom the Indians applied before going on any important war expedition. She was esteemed a great medicine-woman.

The description of the settlement at that time is from the narrative of Spencer:

On this high ground (since the site of Fort Defiance, erected by General Wayne in 1794), extending from the Maumee a quarter of a mile up the Auglaize, about two hundred yards in width, was an open space, on the west and south of which were oak woods, with hazel undergrowth. Within this opening, a few hundred yards above the point, on the steep high bank of the Auglaize, were five or six cabins and log-houses, inhabited principally by Indian traders. The most northerly, a large hewed log-house, divided below into three apartments, was occupied as a warehouse, store and dwelling by George Ironside, the most wealthy and influential of

the traders on the point. Next to his were the houses of Pirault (Pero), a French baker, and M'Kenzie, a Scot, who, in addition to merchandising, followed the occupation of a silversmith, exchanging with the Indians his brooches, ear-drops, and other silver ornaments, at an enormous profit, for skins and furs. Still farther up were several other families of French and English; and two American prisoners, Henry Ball, a soldier taken at St. Clair's defeat, and his wife. Polly Meadows, captured at the same time, were allowed to live here, and by labor to pay their masters the price of their ransom ; he by boating to the rapids of the Maumee,

and she by washing and sewing. Fronting the house of Ironside, and about fifty yards from the bank. was a small stockade enclosing two hewed log-houses, one of which was occupied by James Girty (brother of Simon), the other, occasionally, by M Kee and Elliott, British Indian agents, living at Detroit.

From this station I had a fine view of the large village more than a mile south, on the east side of the Auglaize, of Blue Jacket's town, and of the Maumee river for several miles below, and of the extensive prairie covered with corn, directly opposite, and forming together a very handsome landscape.

Young Spencer was redeemed from captivity on the last day of February, 1793, and through the solicitation of Washington to the governor of Canada. The latter instructed Col. Elliott, the Indian agent, to interpose for his release. He was taken down the Maumee in an open pirouge, thence paddled in a canoe by two squaws along the shore of Lake Erie to Detroit. His route thence was by Lake Erie in a vessel to Erie, Pa., thence to Forts Chippewa and Niagara, across New York State, then mostly a wilderness, to Albany, down the Hudson to New York city, thence through Pennsylvania to Cincinnati. The distance was 2,000 miles, and such the difficulties to be overcome that two years were consumed in the journey; but for the protecting auspices of those highest in authority it could not have been accomplished at all.

Young Spencer became a Methodist minister, and reared a family of the highest respectability; one son became postmaster of Cincinnati about 1850, another a judge of its superior court.

Wayne was eight days in building Fort Defiance; began on the 9th of August and finished on the 17th. After surveying its block-houses, pickets, ditches, and fascines, Wayne exclaimed, "I defy the English, Indians, and all the devils in hell to take it." Gen. Scott, who happened at that instant to be standing at his side, remarked, "Then call it 'FORT DEFIANCE!" and so Wayne, in a letter to the Secretary of War written at this time, said: "Thus, sir, we have gained possession of the grand emporium of the hostile Indians of the West, without loss of blood. The very extensive and highly cultivated fields and gardens show the work of many hands. The margin of those beautiful rivers-the Miamis of the lake (or Maumee) and Auglaize-appear like one continued village for a number of miles both above and below this place; nor have I ever before beheld such fields of corn in any part of America from Canada to Florida. We are now employed in completing a strong stockade fort, with four good block-houses, by way of bastions, at the confluence of the Auglaize and the Maumee, which I have called Defiance."

When first known, there was an abundance of apple trees at Defiance. The bank of the Auglaize at one spot was lined with these trees, and there were single trees scattered about in various places. It is supposed they were planted by French missionaries and traders during the French dominion on the lakes, and cared for afterwards by the Indian trappers and traders. The fruit of these trees was better than that of the so-called natural trees of the present time; they grew larger, and had a more agreeable taste. The stocks were more like the forest trees; higher to the branches, longer to the limbs than the grafted trees of the present day. Probably the shade and contracted clearings in which they were grown had much to do with this large growth. There was then no civilization to bring in borers, worms, and curculios, and so the trees thrived without hindrance. The "County History," published in 1883, from which the above was derived, says: "Defiance has been famed for the possession of a monstrous apple tree. Strangers have seldom failed to visit it, to measure its proportions, and speculate upon its age and origin. It stands on the narrow bottom, on the north side of the Maumee, and nearly opposite the old fort. It has never failed, in the knowledge of present settlers, in producing a crop of very excellent apples. One large branch, however, has of late years been broken off by the storms, which has much marred its proportions; the remainder is yet healthy and prospering. Before the town was laid out there were many trees, equally thrifty and not less in size, in